Best National Bank Rewards?

[Greencheese]

For the past 20 years I've been using a large regional bank for most of my banking needs. They cash checks and coins, have a nice little savings reward program (save $1,100 over 11 months and get $100 free), and are generally everywhere I need them to be. However now I'm going to be around Texas a good chunk of each year, where this bank isn't exactly at. Are there any national banks with a good rewards program for saving or combo with a credit card? Not looking to get rich but squeezing an extra $100-$150/year for little work is always nice.

I see Bank of America has a CC, the BankAmericard® Better Balance Rewards™ MasterCard® Credit Card where you can get $120 back each year for minimal purchasing if you also have another account with them.

I'm not really looking for a Credit Union as I already use one of those as well for my more "central money holding entity". Is there anything from Chase, Wells Fargo, US Bank, PNC, etc... that would be located fairly nationally and have a nice little bump in savings rewards?

 

[racy]

Hi Green,
Have you looked into any online banks? I personally use Ally.

 

[calmloki]

Our bank in Oregon, which we have remained faithful to as it changed from Commercial Bank to West Coast Bank to Columbia Bank, doesn't do business in California. We opened accounts with Wells Fargo, which I loath, and Chase, which hasn't pissed me off yet and actually is better in most respects than our historic bank.

Our best and most used institutions are TIAA-Cref, which currently pays 0.4% and is easy to move money around from bank to bank via computer, and Barclays, which pays 0.9%, but is stickier on moving money and has less customer service via phone. The really big advantage with both those institutions is that we can take a picture of a check and deposit it via telephone. Fast and easy, no need to have a brick and mortar branch nearby. If we do need a branch bank (free notary? access folding money?) Chase is ubiquitous, as is Wells Fargo if I can shower after the visit.

 

[Greencheese]

Racy - Yes I have looked at Ally but I'm more in need of a B&M bank. Mostly for small things such as handling change and the occasional funny rebate check that an ATM won't take.

Calmloki - I've been looking hard at WFC and Chase, just seeing if maybe any of them have a good rewards credit card or anything. I figure a little free money while avoiding all fees is a great way to "fight the good fight". Bank of America caught my eye a bit but I'm hoping maybe another bank has something to go off of as well

 

[calmloki]

Maybe one of these checking bonus offers from Chase would help:
Where To Get Chase Checking Bonus Codes Without Direct Deposit Requirement for Chase Checking Coupon Codes That Have No Direct Deposit Required

Just posting that link for ease, not connected with or endorsing the site. You could also google "chase 2014 bonus checking".
I did get $125 bonus from Chase when I signed up for a checking account a year or so ago - qualified by having my social security check direct deposited. Chase sometimes has extra perks for having a card and another account.